India’s Independence Day celebrated at Consulate, Times Square, NY, and states along East Coast of US

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Consulate General of India in New York, celebrated 77th Independence Day of India on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Consulate in the presence of members of the community.

A Flag-hoisting ceremony was held in the morning in the Consulate where Consul General Randhir Jaiswal unfurled the national flag, the Indian national anthem was sung, and the President of India Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation was read out. Artists from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan sang patriotic songs during the event, a press release from the Indian Consulate said.

Amidst the felicitations, heartening congratulatory messages were received from a host of local elected officials, including a video message from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who highlighted the contributions of the Indian community that enrich the cultural and economic tapestry of New York. Commemorative proclamations celebrating India’s 76 years of independence were also issued by the Governors of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

A special event at Times Square was held the same day, hosted by the Federation of Indian Associations-NYNJCT, where the Consul General raised the Indian flag. There was an unveiling of a symbolic replica of the Konark Sun Temple’s wheel on the occasion, and the iconic Empire State Building in New York City was also lit in India’s tricolors.

Noteworthy among this year’s festivities was the flag-raising ceremony at the historic Bowling Green Arena, by the Consul General and Mayor Eric Adams of New York City. This event was organized by Sivadasan Nair of Indian Cultural Association of North America, Inc., and attended by Deputy Mayor of NYC Meera Joshi, Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, and several senior elected officials of Indian descent in the Mayor’s administration, besides members of the Indian community.

The celebrations of Independence Day in North east US started on August 5 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with an event organized by Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania (AIACPA) featuring a unique Robotic competition and also a Parade displaying India’s rich culture.

Among other several community-organized events, the prominent ones included an  event organized by Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) at Stamford, Connecticut; flag hoisting ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall by Council of Indian Organizations in Greater Philadelphia; flag hoisting ceremony at Hartford, Connecticut by The India Association of Central Connecticut; India day Parade organized by Council of Heritage and Arts of India, at Williamsville, Buffalo, India Day Parade & Flag Hoisting celebrations organized by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-NE), at the iconic Boston Harbour and other celebrations. The annual Battery Dance Festival showcased India’s classical dance on August 15, at Battery Park. FIA NY-NJ-CT will organize the largest India Day Parade, outside of India, on 20^th August on Madison avenue.

Earlier in the week, the Indo-American Arts Council held a three-day music festival to commemorate the 77^th Independence Day of India featuring prominent artists such as Padma Shri Malini Awasthi and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

To celebrate India’s independence under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the Consulate General of India, New York hosted a special event ‘Mitti Ki Khusboo–Mitti Ki Yadein’ on August 14, that featured memories of growing up in India. Exhibition on ‘horrors on partition’ was also displayed in the Consulate. Selfie point was set up for the community members to take a selfie with maati diya in hand and upload on merimaatimeradesh.gov.in, and www.yuva.gov.in with #Har Ghar Tiranga #Meri Maati Mera Desh. A salutation to the brave soldiers was displayed on August 14 and also during the flag hoisting ceremony held at the Consulate on August 15 and later in Times Square.